"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Ps.119:32

From the Lips of Children

Today is a very special day for several reasons. First of all, it is my blog’s one year anniversary! Secondly, I have a give away for you! But, I think the most important reason is because of a little girl I want to introduce you to.

I have been thinking a lot the last couple of weeks about how blogging has benefited my gluten free living SO much. There have been tons of yummy recipes. I have learned more about food than I ever thought possible and I have met some new friends. Before I found the blogging world, I sometimes felt very alone in this journey to live free of gluten and other foods I can’t tolerate. Granted, there are still days that are hard and I still get discouraged. Unexplained pain day after day can take a toll on a person’s peace and joy. A couple of weeks ago, I was having a particularly hard time and found myself grumbling and complaining in my heart a LOT about my health woes. That’s when my mom forwarded something to me that really blessed me.

I want to tell you about a little girl that I go to church with that just simply amazes me! I wish I had a picture of her (she is a doll) but I don’t. Anyway, her name is Marissa and she is 9 years old. This child has been sick pretty much her whole life! She has ulcerative colitis and celiac. The most recent health scare for her and her family is the possibility of diabetes. She has been in and out of the hospital numerous times even this last year. But, EVERY time I see her she is smiling. Her mom said that she never complains or asks ‘why’. She never gives the Drs. a hard time and even thanks the nurses when they take her blood over and over again! The last time she was in the hospital, she posted an entry on her new blog without her parents even being aware of it. This post is what really made me think about how grateful I should be for my life–even in the midst of difficult health issues.

Hi i’m issa and i have celiac and colitis and have a chance to have diabieties. I’m actually in the hospital because my blood sugar was 708. thank the lord i went down to 135 today we are praising the lord that i’m still ailve and my blood sugar is down. we have such faith and trust and strength in god. because he is our savior and our might. i’m still a normal kid and run dance & play. my life can be hard but i still have faith in him. isn’t it amazing how he can do that. he can heal anyone and anything. it was so dissapointing. last night i was on the computer listening to music and dancing. my sister had tears in her eyes and said that my mom wanted me upstairs and i went upstairs and she said sweetie we need to go to the hospital my blood sugar was high. and my sister had a friend over. it was so awful but i’m probably leaving tomorrow. so praise the lord! gotta run by issaIsn’t that the sweetest thing you have ever read?

Matthew 21:16 “From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise”

I wanted to share this with you to show the simple faith of a child. That’s the kind of faith I want to have:) I also want to ask those of you that are Christians to please pray for Marissa’s health. Also, pray for her parents as they care for her. Pray for strength and faith for them all:)

Okay, are you ready for the give away? In light of the fact that I can no longer eats nuts and to celebrate my first year of blogging, I am giving away2.5 lbs of almond flour! There are a couple of ways to get your name in the hat.

1. Leave a comment on this post for Marissa/family. I’m sure they would read every one of them and appreciate them.

2. You can get your name in a second time for subscribing to my blog and leave me a comment telling me you did so. If you are already a subscriber, let me know.

Please leave comments for Marissa even if you are not interested in the give away:) I know how much comments encourage me so I’m sure a 9 year old would be blessed!

I will leave this give away open for comments until Friday(the 19th). Make sure you don’t miss out!

Excuse the font confusion on this post. I can’t get this stupid thing to work right!:)

What a great heart for God this little girl has! I have a 9 year old who has been going to church her whole life, and I dont know if she would be able to express herself like that. Perhaps because she has not been challenged like little Marissa. Keep the Faith Sweetie!

i just found your blog by connecting from Elana's Pantry. Both sites are very helpful — like you said, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed but reading others experiences helps one to see there are so many others with similar food complications.

When I remember all my Savior suffered for my sake, I find it not so difficult to deal with my food issues. It sounds like Marissa already knows that at her young age! What a sweet spirit she has.Keep the faith!

Hi! I found your blog through Heather Eats Almond Butter and just wanted to introduce myself before commenting because my mother instilled a very strict attention to proper etiquitte at a very young age. I’m Emily. 😀

Now that I’ve satisfied my inner Emily Post I just have to say what an amazingly sweet post! That story totally blessed me. Thank you so much!